Canucks fire coach Desjardins after disappointing season

Vancouver missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season and finished last in the Pacific Division, costing Willie Desjardins his job.

Vancouver Canucks confirmed the sacking of head coach Willie Desjardins on Monday.

The Canucks opted to part with their coach of three years after a disappointing season that produced only 69 points.

Vancouver missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season and finished last in the Pacific Division after dropping its last eight games.

Explaining the "very difficult decision" to relieve Desjardins and assistants Doug Lidster and Perry Pearn of their duties, general manager Jim Benning said in a statement: "It's been a challenging season and we all share responsibility for the results.

"However, we felt this change was necessary as we continue to develop a young team and look ahead to the future.

"We're grateful to Willie, Doug, Perry and each of their families for their dedication and hard work and wish them every success."

Desjardins, 60, got off to a promising start in Vancouver after replacing John Tortorella, leading the team to a first-round playoff appearance in 2014-15.

However, he failed to keep the momentum going as the Canucks worked to rebuild the organisation and ends his tenure with a 109-110-27 record.